23-year-old George Stoakley suspended by Conservatives after his tweets on Jews, Aids and chavs

A Conservative candidate accused of posting inappropriate jokes on social media will remain on the ballot for next week’s local elections vote.

George Stoakley, 23, who is standing in the elections for South Cambridgeshire District Council, has been accused of tweeting anti-semitic and homophobic jokes, as well as others about Aids and chavs.

The tweets were posted in 2013 and 2014 and Mr Stoakley has since made his tweets private.

Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis tweeted to say Mr Stoakley has been suspended by the party, but his name will still remain on ballot papers for the Fen Ditton and Fulbourn ward as a Tory candidate.

Neither the council nor the party is able to change this as any withdrawals were legally required to take place before April 6.

The Electoral Commission states: “The details of any candidates who by the close of withdrawals remain validly nominated must be printed on the ballot papers.

“If a candidate has not withdrawn by the deadline, their name must go forward to the ballot paper.”

The Cambridge Independent has been advised that candidate “details” include party information.

A spokesperson for South East Cambridgeshire Conservatives said: “George Stoakley has been suspended and an investigation is under way.”